NSS:  AN INTRODUCTION & BASIC CONCEPTS

The overall aim of National Service Scheme as envisaged earlier, is to give an extension

dimension to the higher education system and orient the student youth to community service while they are studying in educational institution. The reason for the formulation of this objective is the general realization that the college and +2 level students have a tendency to get alienated from the village/slum masses which constitute the majority of the population of the country. The educated youth who are expected to take the reins of administration in future are found to be unaware of the problems of the village/slum community and in certain cases are indifferent towards their needs and problems. Therefore it is necessary to arouse the social conscience of the students, and to provide them an opportunity to work with the people in the villages and slums. It is felt that their interaction with the common villagers and slum dwellers will expose them to the realities of life and bring about a change in their social perception.

Objectives:

1. The broad objectives of NSS are to:

(i) understand the community in which they work

(ii) understand themselves in relation to their community;

(iii) identify the needs and problems of the community and involve them in problem

solving process;

(iv) develop among themselves a sense of social and civic responsibility;

(v) utilize their knowledge in finding practical solution to individual and community

problems;

(vi) develop competence required for group living and sharing of responsibilities;

(vii) gain skills in mobilizing community participation;

(viii) acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitude;

(ix) develop capacity to meet emergencies and natural disasters and

(x) practice national integration and social harmony.

 The Motto

 2. The motto or watchword of the National Service Scheme is : ‘NOT ME BUT YOU’.

This reflects the essence of democratic living and upholds the need for selfless service

and appreciation of the other person’s point of view and also to show consideration for

fellow human beings. It underlines that the welfare of an individual is ultimately

dependent on the welfare of society on the whole. Therefore, it should be the aim of the

NSS to demonstrate this motto in its day-to-day programme.

 NSS Symbol

 3. The symbol of the National Service Scheme, as appearing on the cover page of this

Manual is based on the ‘Rath’ wheel of the Konark Sun Temple situated in Orissa. These

giant wheels of the Sun Temple portray the cycle of creation, preservation and release, and signify the movement in life across time and space. The design of the symbol, a

simplified form of the Sun-chariot wheel primarily depicts movement. The wheel

signifies the progressive cycle of life. It stands for continuity as well as change and

implies the continuous striving of NSS for social transformation and upliftment.

 NSS Badge

4. The NSS symbol is embossed on the NSS badge. The NSS volunteers wear it while

undertaking any programme of community service. The Konark wheel in the symbol has

eight bars which represent the 24 hours of the day. Hence, the badge reminds the wearer

to be in readiness for service of the nation round the clock i.e. for 24 hours. The red

colour in the badge indicates that the NSS volunteers are full of blood i.e. lively, active,

energetic and full of high spirit. The navy blue colour indicates the cosmos of which the

NSS is a tiny part, ready to contribute its share for the welfare of the mankind.

 NSS Day

 5. NSS was formally launched on 24th September, 1969, the birth centenary year of

the Father of the Nation. Therefore, 24

September is celebrated every year as NSS Day

with appropriate programmes and activities.

 NSS Song

 6. During Silver Jubilee Year the NSS theme song ha s been composed. All NSS

volunteers are expected to learn the theme song and sing the song during NSS

programmes and celebrations. The theme song cassette is available and the theme song is

given in the end of the Manual.

Chapter-1 : SPECIAL CAMPING PROGRAMME

 Special Camping forms an integral part of National Service Scheme. It has special appeal

to the youth as it provides unique opportunities to the students for group living, collective

experience sharing and constant interaction with community.

1. Special campings are organised generally on various developmental issues of national

importance. In the past the themes of the Special Camping Programmes have been ‘Youth

Against Famine’, ‘Youth Against Dirt and Disease’, ‘Youth for Rural Reconstruction’, ‘Youth

for Eco-Development’ and ‘Youth for Mass Literacy’, ‘Youth for National Integration &Social

Harmony’. The current theme of Special Camp is ‘Youth for Sustainable Development with

special focus on Watershed Management and Wasteland Development. Every year 50 percent of

the volunteers of each NSS unit are expected to participate in special camps which is of ten days

duration.

Contributions of Special Camping Programme

1.1 Concerted efforts have to be made for a number of years for reconstruction activities in rural areas and urban slums for improving the living conditions of economically and

socially weaker sections of the community. For this, the universities colleges land +2

institutions having NSS have a special role to play in collaboration with other

Departments and local authorities engaged in Development work. They should adopt a

village or group of villages/urban slums for intensive social development, where special

camps are organised by them year after year to create tangible and durable community

assets.

Objectives of the Special Camping programme

1.2 The primary objectives of the special camping programmes are:-

(i) making education more relevant to the present situation to meet the felt needs of

the communities and supplement the education of university/college/school

students by bringing them face to face with the community situation.

(ii) To provide opportunities to students to play their due roles in the implementation

of various development programmes by planning and executing development

projects, which not only help in creating durable community assets in rural areas

and slums but also result in improvement of the condition of weaker sections of

the communities.

(iii) Encouraging the students and non-students youth to work along with the adults in

rural areas, thereby developing their character, social consciousness and

commitment, discipline ad healthy and helpful attitudes towards the community;

(iv) Building up potential youth leaders by exploring the latent potential among the

campers, both students as well as local youth (rural and urban), with a view to

involve them more intimately in development projects for longer periods. The local leadership generated during the camps would also be useful in ensuring

proper maintenance of the assets created as a result of the camps.

(v) Emphasizing the dignity of labour and self-help and the need for combining

physical work with intellectual pursuits, and

(vi) Encouraging youth to participate enthusiastically in the process of national

development, and promote national integration through democratic living and

cooperative action.

Education and Recreations:

 Activities in this field could include:

(i) adult education (short-duration programmes);

(ii) pre-school education programmes;

(iii) programmes of continuing education of school drop outs, remedial coaching of

students from weaker sections;

(iv) work in crèches;

(v) participatory cultural and recreation programmes for the community including the

use of mass media for instruction and recreation, programmes of community

singing, dancing etc.;

(vi) organisation of youth clubs, rural land indigenous sports in collaboration with

Nehru Yuva Kendras;

(vii) programmes including discussions on eradications of social evils like

communalism, castism, regionalism, untouchability, drug abuse etc.;

(viii) non-formal education for rural youth and

(ix) legal literacy, consumer awareness.

Guidelines for the success of Camp

(a) Selection of proper projects :

 The selection of proper projects for special camping programme can boost the

morale of the campers and develop in them a sense of achievement. Hence, it is

essential that suitable projects must be selected with utmost care. While

identifying the projects/activities in special camping programmes, the following

criteria may be kept in mind :

(i) The needs of the locality;

(ii) Facilities available in the area;

(iii) Local participation;

(iv) Possibility of completing or developing the project in 10 days and

(v) Possibility of follow-up action in Regular Activities.

(b) Personality Development : 

 As the NSS aims at camps should be designed to achieve this objective.Group work,team building,community dynamics,leadership,communication skills and creativity should form part of special camps.If in developing the personality of student youth , therefore special necessary , a few camps may be developed exclusively for the purpose involving key NSS volunteers.

Suggestive Model Schedule

1 Waking Up 0500 Hrs.

2 Morning Assembly and Physical Exercises 0600 Hrs. to 0630 Hrs.

3 Break Fast and Collection of tools etc. 0630 Hrs. to 0715 Hrs.

4 Project work 0730 Hrs. to 1230 Hrs.

5 Personal Hygiene 1230 Hrs. to 1300 Hrs.

6 Lunch 1300 Hrs. to 1400 Hrs.

7 Rest 1400 Hrs. to 1500 Hrs.

8 Talks by eminent visitors followed by discussion 1500 Hrs. to 1700 Hrs.

9 Community visit 1700 Hrs. to 1930 Hrs.

10 Recreation and socio-cultural programme 1900 Hrs. to 2000 Hrs.

11 Dinner 2000 Hrs. to 2100 Hrs.

12 Review of Day’s Work 2100 Hrs. to 2130 Hrs.

13 Light Off 2200 Hrs.

Functions of the Programme Coordinator

(a) To assist and guide the NSS units for implementation of NSS Programmes at +2

level.

(b) To help in organising camps, training and orientation programmes for the NSS

group leaders and Programme Officers.

(c) To visit the NSS Units for monitoring and evaluation.

(d) To ensure implementation of NSS Regular Activities and Special Camping

Programme.

(e) To ensure timely release of grants.

(f) To submit reports and returns to Programme Adviser, Regional Centre and State

Liaison Cell.

(g) To select new Programme Officers as per guidelines and ensure their orientation

within the stipulated period.

(h) To submit half yearly reports and other information required to Government of

India, Regional Centre, State Liaison Officer and TOC from time to time as

desired by the Government of India.

(i) To liaise with Regional Centre, State Liaison Officer and TOC/TORC for

implementation of NSS Programme.

 (j) To bring out the publication and reports throwing light on the achievements.